Apparatus for extruding metals



R. GILLIS ET AL APPARATUS FOR EXTRUDING METALS Sept. 3, 1940.

Filed June 23, 1938 //VV N TORS R. GILL/6' 6. V. W wo/v 5r ATTORM'Y Patented Sept. 3,1940- UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE g,

2,213, 99 APPARATUS FOR EXTRUDING METALS Randall Gillis, Westfield, N. J., and Stanmore V. 'Wilson, Washington, D. 0., asslgnors to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corpqration of New York Application June 23, 1938, Seriai No. 215,334

SClaims.

This invention relates to apparatus .for extruding metals, and more particularly to cable sheath extrusion apparatus. The present invention is particularly applicable to cable sheath extrusion presses of the type in which a lead alloy is extruded from a cylinder through a die at one: end thereof by means of a ram inserted into the opposite end of the cylinder. In the operation of extrusion presses of this type, the ram is usually completely withdrawn from the cylinder, after expressing a charge, in order to reharge the cylinder with a fresh supply of the/ is usually poured into the cylinder through the ram entrance end thereof by means of a movable delivery spout or pipe leading from a melting kettle or reservoir containing a supply of the molten alloy.

Objects of the present invention are to reduce trusion presses .of the type referred to and to Prevent e posure of the molten metal to, the atmosphere.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a cable sheath extruding press of the type referred to is provided with a charging receptacle which is mounted above the cylinder of the press and is adapted to be connected directly to a melting kettle or reservoir containing a supply of molten lead or lead alloy. An immersion type heater is mounted within the receptacle for maintaining the lead alloy therein ina molten state. The receptacle is provided with an airtight-cover and the cover and bottom of the receptacle have circular ram receiving apertures provided with self-packing glands. The ram is surrounded by a guide ring mounted within the receptacle, the guide ring having a plurality of apertures in its wall through which the molten alloy from the receptacle flows into the press cylinder when the ram is withdrawn.

A more complete understanding of the, invention may be had-by referring to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a fragmentaryelevational view of a cable sheath extruding press embodying the invention;

v Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and

3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing, the invention is illustrated as embodied in a lead cable sheath extrudolten lead alloy. The molten alloy;

to a minimum the time required to charge ex-' in; press of the, type comprising a stationary ver- Flg. 3 is a fragmentary plan section on linethrough the ram entrance end thereof. The ram JII is adapted to be actuated by suitable m'ea'ns (not shown) to force the lead or lead alloy from the cylinder through the usual extruding die (not shown) mounted in a die block 112 supported underneath the cylinder.

- In accordance with a feature of the present invention, means is provided for quickly charging the press cylinder with'molterr alloy without exposing the molten alloy to the atmosphere, This means, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, comprises an annular charging receptacle Ml mounted above the press cylinder. The charging receptacle is provided with an airtight cover it and is formed with a tubular delivery spout l 6 adapted to beconnected to a melting kettle or reservoir (not shown) containing a supply of the molten alloy. The receptacle is thus constantly maintained filled with molten alloy delivered thereinto through the spout it which, preferably,,is so connected with the melting kettle or reservoir that the molten alloy is not exposed to the atmosphere while passing from the reservoir into the receptacle. The lead alloy in the receptacle is maintained in a molten state by an immersion type heater ill suitably mounted within the receptacle.

The bottom of the charging receptacle is provided with a circular aperture 88 for the passage of the ram therethrough and in order to prethe internal grooves of the gland may cool sufiiciently to congeal, the gland is insulated from the bottom. of the charging receptacle by a gasket 24 of asbestos or other suitable heat insulating material.- If necessary, the gland'may be pro vided with one 'or more annular passages, such as' indicated at 25, through which acooling medium may be circulated to maintain the alloy in the gland in a solidified state.

The cover I! ot'the charging receptacle is formed with a depressed or recessed central portion 21 which is provided with a-circular aperture 28 for the passage of the ram therethrough.

In order to prevent the escape of molten alloy from the receptacle through the aperture in the cover, a self-packing gland 30 is provided. This gland, which is similar to the gland 20 described above, comprises a metallic ring 3| tightly fitted within the recessed central portion of the cover,

aperture. Heat insulating gaskets, such asindicylinder.

with the cylinder.

cated at and 35, may be employed to insulate the gland 30 from the charging receptacle to insure that the alloy collected in the gland is maintained in a solidified state.

A guide ring 40 is provided within the charging receptaclefor maintaining the rain in alignment During the normal operation of the press, the ram is never withdrawn from the guide ring and, therefore, the guide ring constantly maintains the ram in alignment with the Consequently,' the amount of clearance between the ram and the cylinder may be reduced to a minimum, whereby the amount of lead alloy that is extruded upwardly past the ram tip is decreased.

A plurality of spaced slots 42, 42 are provided in the wall of the'guide ring 40, and upon withdrawal of the ram from the cylinder these slots are uncovered, as shown in Fig. 2, so thatthe molten alloy in the charging receptacle flows through the slots and into the cylinder.

The charging receptacle may be attached to t the press cylinder by means of screws 44 and 45 outer walls of the press cylinder.. The inner arate spacing tube 46 between the cover and the ing asupply of the molten alloy.

which pass through the cover and bottomof the receptacle and are threaded into the inner and screws 44 also pass through the guide ring 40 and glands 20 and 30, and thereby maintain the guide ring and. glands in alignment with the cylinder.

The guide ring 40 strengthens the assembly of the receptacle to the press by serving as a spacer member'between the bottom of the receptacle and the depressed central portion of the cover. Each of the outer screws 45 passes through a septhe press the molten alloy flows from the charging receptacle into the press cylinder through the,

slots 42 in the guide ring 40.. The cylinder is thus filled with a fresh charge of the molten alloy. Simultaneously therewith, molten alloy from the melting kettle or reservoir flows into the charging receptacle to replace that which flows Ytrom the receptacle into the cylinder, so that the 1 receptacle is always full of molten alloy'awaiting ically upon withdrawal of them. Thus, the

to be charged into the press cylinder automattim required to charge the press is reduced to a minimum. Furthermore, the inclusion of dross 7 or oxides into the extruded sheath is avoided by preventing exposure of the molten alloy to the atmosphere while it is transferred from the melt ing kettle or reservoir into the press cylinder.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiment thereof herein illustrated and described except insofar as is defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an extrusion apparatus comprising a cylinder and a cooperating ram which is completely withdrawable' from the cylinder to permit charging of the same through the ram entrance end thereof, a charging receptacle mounted upon the ram entrance end of the cylinder, and a separate guide ring mounted within the receptacle for constantly maintaining the ram in alignment with said cylinder, said guide ring having an aperture in its wall for the passage of molten material from the charging receptacle into the cylinder.

'2. In an extrusion apparatus comprising a cylinder and a cooperating ram which is completely withdrawable from the cylinder to permit charging of the same with molten materiaL'a charging receptacle mounted upon the ram entrance end with molten metal, a charging receptacle supported above the cylinder for containing a supply of molten metal, a cover for said receptacle, and a separate guide ring extending from the bottom of the receptacle to said cover for guiding the ram, said guide ring havinga plurality of apertures in its wall for the passage of molten metal from said receptacle into the cylinder.

4. In a cable sheath extrusion press comprising a stationary vertical cylinder and a cooperating movable ram which is completely withdrawable' from the upper end of the cylinder to permit charging of the cylinder with molten metal inguide ring extending between said apertures for guiding the ram, said guide ring having a plurality of apertures in its wall for. the passage of molten metalfrom said receptacle into the press cylinder upon withdrawal of the ram from said cylinder. I

5. In an extrusion apparatus comprising a" cylinder and a. cooperating ram which is completely withdrawable from the cylinder to permit charging of the same with molten materiaha charging receptacle mounted upon the ram .en-

trance end of the cylinder and having an aperture in the bottom thereof for the passage of the ram therethrough, and a self-packing gland for preventing backward extrusion I of the ram entrance end of said cylinder.

7. In an extrusion apparatus comprising a cylinder and a cooperating ram which is completely withdrawable from the cylinder to permit charging of the same through the ram entrance end thereof, a charging receptacle mounted upon the ram entrance end of the cylinder and having an aperture in the bottom thereof for the passageof the ram therethrough, a cover for said receptacle, a guide ring within said receptacle extending from the bottom thereof to said cover for constantLv maintaining the ram in alignment with the cylinder, and means for clamping said guide ring between said cover and the bottom of said receptacle, said guide ring having an aperture in its wall for the passage of molten material from said receptacle into said cylinder upon withdrawal of the ram from the cylinder.

8. In an extrusion apparatus comprising a vertical cylinder and a cooperating ram which is completely withdrawable from the upper end of the cylinder to permit charging of the cylinder with molten metal, a charging receptacle supported above the cylinder for containing a supply of molten metal, a cover forsaid receptacle, and a guide ring within said receptacle extending from the bottom thereof to said cover for con stantly maintaining the ram in alignment with the cylinder, said guide ring having an axial opening slidably receiving the ram and a lateral opening in its wall for the passage of molten metal from the charging receptacle into the upper end of the cylinder upon withdrawal of said ram from the cylinder.

RANDALL GILLIS. STANMORE V. WILSON. 

